Infant bathtub drownings up 75 per cent

THE number of infants drowning in bathtubs has jumped by 75 per cent in the past five years, Australia's latest drowning figures reveal.

Royal Life Saving released its annual National Drowning Report today, showing while backyard swimming pool drownings for the 0-4 age group had decreased, they still accounted for the most deaths in that age category with eight deaths.

The number of children drowning in bathtubs or spas increased to seven deaths in the past year – a 75 per cent spike over five years.

The drowning figures also startlingly reveal that over five years, there has only been a one per cent decrease in drowning deaths and no real improvements across all age groups.

Royal Life Saving CEO Rob Bradley said it appears education programs have "fallen on deaf ears''.

"Overall there has been absolutely no improvement in drowning in most age groups for five years now. In some age groups the drowning toll is still rising,'' Mr Bradley said.

"It's clear that more work needs to be done in reducing drowning in Australia,'' he said.

Overall, 284 people drowned in Australia from July 1, 2011 to June 30 this year, with more men dying.

According to the report, 232 men (82 per cent) drowned compared to 52 (18 per cent) women.

The most deaths occurred in NSW waters, with 105 people drowning in our waterways, followed by Queensland and then Victoria.

There was a 25 per cent increase in deaths in the 15 to 24 age group (to 16 per cent) but the majority of deaths occurred in people aged 55 and over, accounting for 34 per cent.

Most of the drownings occurred in inland waters, like lakes and rivers.

"There are just too few resources being devoted to stop drowning deaths in inland waterways,'' Mr Bradley said.

"The overall drowning toll is unacceptable. We want to see the number of people drowning halved by the year 2020. With these sorts of figures it is hard to see that happening.''